After Your Backflow Test: The Exact Paperwork You Need to Submit

Passing (or failing) a backflow test is only half the job. The other half—often the part that triggers notices and late fees—is submitting the correct paperwork to the right place, in the right format, with complete device details.

If you’re a property owner, manager, or business in Long Beach, this guide breaks down what documents are typically required after testing, what information must be included, and how to avoid the most common submission mistakes.

Throughout the process, working with backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend helps ensure your reports are accurate, legible, and accepted without delays. That’s exactly what Atlas Backflow Services focuses on: smooth testing plus clean compliance documentation.

Why paperwork matters as much as the test itself

Water authorities don’t just want to know that a backflow prevention assembly “was tested.” They need verifiable proof that:

• The correct device was tested (matching model/serial/location)

• The test was performed by a qualified tester

• The device passed (or failed and was corrected)

• Results were submitted by the deadline

Many compliance problems happen when the device passes but the paperwork is incomplete, late, or submitted incorrectly. Using the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend reduces these risks because experienced testers know what authorities typically reject.

The #1 document: The Backflow Assembly Test Report

In most cases, the primary document you must submit is the Backflow Assembly Test Report (sometimes called a “Backflow Test Form” or “Annual Test Report”). This is the official record

of the test and the assembly’s performance.A complete test report typically includes:

• Service address (and suite/unit number if applicable)

• Account and/or meter number (if required by the water authority)

• Device location on the property (e.g., “front planter by meter,” “mechanical room,” “irrigation box”)

• Assembly type (RP/RPZ, DC, PVB, etc.)

• Manufacturer, model, size, serial number

• Test date

• Test results (including readings required for that assembly type)

• Pass/Fail outcome

• Tester information: name, certification/license number, signature, and company details

• Notes on repairs (if any) and retest information (if performed)

Authorities commonly reject reports if the serial number is missing, the device type is wrong, the address is incomplete, or the tester’s certification info isn’t provided. This is why customers choose Atlas Backflow Services for the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend—the goal is “accepted the first time.”

If the device failed: Repair documentation + retest report

If your assembly fails, you generally need to submit additional paperwork showing that it was corrected and re-verified.Commonly required follow-up documents include:

• Repair summary (sometimes included in the notes section of the test report)

• Retest report showing the assembly passed after repairs

• In some cases, proof of parts replaced (less common, but occasionally requested for certain sites)

Important: many authorities consider a failed test “non-compliant” until they receive a passing retest. So even if you submit the initial failed report on time, you may still face compliance actions unless you complete repairs quickly and resubmit.

Using the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend helps here because experienced providers can guide you through the fail-to-pass timeline and paperwork sequence.

If the device was replaced: Installation/registration paperwork

Replacing an old assembly with a new one is more than a swap—you’re also changing the device identity the authority tracks.When a device is replaced, water authorities often require:

• A test report for the new device (many programs require testing at installation and then annually)

• Device registration or installation form (varies by authority)

• Accurate new device details: manufacturer, model, size, serial number

• Sometimes photos of the nameplate or installation (especially when records are being updated)

If your water authority previously “didn’t have your device on record,” replacement is also a common moment to get everything properly documented. Atlas Backflow Services can help you line up the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend with the paperwork needed to update the record cleanly.

Photos and supporting proof: When they’re helpful (and when they’re required)

Not every water authority requires photos, but they can be extremely useful when:

• There’s confusion about the device location

• The address has multiple meters or multiple assemblies

• The serial number is hard to read on older devices

• The authority’s database needs verification

Helpful photos include:

• The full assembly showing its setting (for location context)

• A close-up of the manufacturer/model/serial tag

• The surrounding area showing access points (box lid, meter area, wall label)

Professionals who provide the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend often take these proactively when they anticipate record or compliance issues.

Where to submit: The “right place” is part of the requirement

A common issue is submitting paperwork to the wrong department or portal. Depending on your setup, reporting may go to:

• The local water authority/cross-connection control program

• A city utility compliance division

• A third-party compliance portal used by the provider

• Separate reporting tracks for domestic water, irrigation, and fire lines

If you manage a commercial property, confirm whether your fire line backflow device is handled differently than domestic/irrigation devices. Keeping documentation organized avoids missed deadlines.

Atlas Backflow Services helps customers navigate this step as part of the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend, so you’re not guessing where the report goes.

Deadlines: When should paperwork be submitted after the test?

Many water authorities expect results to be submitted immediately or within a short window after testing—especially if you’re close to your annual due date.

Best practice: submit the paperwork the same day or within 24–72 hours, and keep proof of submission. Waiting weeks is how “we tested it” turns into “we’re out of compliance.”

The most common paperwork mistakes (and how to avoid them)

These issues cause the majority of rejected reports and repeat notices:

• Wrong serial number (one digit off is enough to break the record match)

• Missing tester certification number or signature

• Incorrect device type (RP listed as DC, etc.)

• Address mismatch (missing suite/unit, wrong street formatting)

• Illegible handwriting or blurry scans

• Submitting only a “paid invoice” instead of an official test report

• Forgetting the retest report after a failure/repair

Using the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend is the simplest way to prevent these errors because reporting details are part of the service—not an afterthought.

What you should keep for your own records (even after submitting)

Even after the water authority confirms receipt, keep a compliance folder with:

• The final passing test report

• Any repair/retest paperwork

• Confirmation email or submission receipt

• Photos (if taken)

• Notes on due dates for next year

For property managers and business owners, having this ready helps with audits, tenant transitions, and future troubleshooting.

How Atlas Backflow Services simplifies the paperwork step

Atlas Backflow Services supports customers who want testing done correctly—and documented correctly—using the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend approach:

• Accurate device identification (model/serial/size/type)

• Clear, complete test reports designed for acceptance

• Guidance on what else is needed after failures, repairs, or replacements

• A smoother path to staying compliant year after year

Quick FAQ: Paperwork after a backflow test

Is the invoice enough to prove compliance?

Usually not. Most authorities require an official Backflow Assembly Test Report with device details and test results.

What if the device passes—do I still have to submit paperwork?

Yes. A pass without submission is often treated as not tested in the authority’s system.

What if the authority says they didn’t receive it?

Provide your submission confirmation, then resend the report promptly. Keeping a copy is essential—another reason to work with the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend.

Final takeaway: Test + paperwork = compliance

After your backflow test, the essential paperwork is the Backflow Assembly Test Report, plus any retest/repair documentation if the device fails, and possible registration/installation paperwork if the device was replaced or needs to be added to the authority’s records.

Submitting complete, accurate documents quickly is the best way to avoid delays, fees, and compliance notices.If you want the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend—with documentation handled carefully—Atlas Backflow Services can help you test, report, and stay compliant without the usual back-and-forth.